We are planning a 8-9 day trip to Barcelona in September. we would like to also visit the coast either north (Costa Bravo) or south (Costa Dorado). Which area offers the best in terms of beaches, sites, food, etc?
Thanks in advance for you input!
MaryAnn
Do Sitges as a day from Barcelona.
Spend 3/4 days on the Costa Brava.
Girona > Llafranc > Cadaques > Empuries > Figueres > Besalu
Typo: Costa Daurada!.... "daurada", Catalan for golden, named so for the fine golden sand of the beaches south of Barcelona. Note that the local language in Catalonia is Catalan -albeit Spanish is co-official too- and therefore most geographical names are obviously written in this language. While most translations into Spanish are "similar" -as both languages derive, like French or Italian, from Latin- that's not always so, hence the reason I insist on using the correct toponymic names. Also, it's also the respectful thing to do towards locals.
There's no answer to your question, or better: "both".
Each possible route one has its charms, northbound the coast gradually turns into cliffs and when you arrive at Costa Brava (brave for the wildness of the cliffs and the roughness of the sea when it's stormy) you'll find plenty of coves in picturesque little towns. Southbound, in Costa Daurada, is the opposite, long and wide sandy beaches are the norm. As per sites to visit and food, the same thing... no one better than the other.
Sorry for not being too helpful here, but honestly, whether you choose to go north, south or west of Barcelona you're going to find wonderful places to visit and great regional food in any of the counties of the different "vegueries", (counties are grouped in "vegueries", sort of 'regions') This is a good general brochure than can help you to get an idea of the different areas, and this other one proposes some routes.
Enjoy!
Thanks for the tips/links to the brochure. I will need to do some research and decide the best itinerary
for our visit!
